the blog of a reader, writer, and all around busy-body

January 09, 2014

My word for 2014

Happy New Year, my friends!

Yes, I do know we're nine days into 2014, but I'm still settling in. Trying to get used to writing out the 4 instead of the 3, taking down Christmas decorations (which usually takes me three times longer than it does for us to put up), and addressing the last of my New Year's cards.

I've been taking my time.

Because last year was a doozy.

2013 was the year of the expanding envelope. Remember this post? I talked about pushing myself, making creative and bold decisions, and boy, did I!

2013 brought the rambunctious querying and shelving of STITCHES OF TRUTH, the heart-wrenching revisions of ONE ON ONE, and again, jumping into the query trenches. And, I drafted another book.

We unpacked. I wrote. Got the family settled. I wrote. Involved myself with armywifestuff. I wrote. 5 am wakeups, thinking of my characters, switched gears, and again all day, wrote at night, and over and over.

The days flew, the weeks ran ahead of me and the months? I don't know where the heck they are. All I know is that I looked up having accomplished everything I wanted, and more. I damn near tore that pink-shearling envelope in half.

But it came with a price. I might've stressed out here and there. (Me? Virgos don't stress, do they?)

My hubby might've had to ease the ground in front of me a couple of times--stretched it out so I could see the first step I should take.

A couple of times, I think he actually had to give me a little push.

Last week, we took the kids to see the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. Gorgeous artwork in this place, stunning architecture. We got there just in time for a tour, and the guide pointed out the phenom murals on plaster. One is of Peace. Science is on her right, and Art is on her left.

Of course, I'm not naive. I know that Peace doesn't come simply with the perfect balance of science and art. There are things such as Faith and Love that weigh heavier into the equation, in my opinion.

But the thing that stood out to me? Planning is just as important as flying by the seat of my pants. Results are just as important as the process. Yes is as important as no.

And, both things can be in the same person.

*takes breath*

Okay, so you might not be having the same mind-blowing experience with my not so great storytelling tonight, but what this all leads to is my Word of 2014:

EVALUATE

(My nurse friends are probably cringing right now--you're welcome!)

Where am I at? Who am I with? What am I doing?

Does it make sense?

As a mother of four I talk about this a lot with my kids. For them to check that little voice in their head. To, what my mother used to say, "do what you ought to." But these days I've added, "but there's not just one way."

2013 was about pushing the limits. 2014 is making sure the limits are pushed with only my Most Important Things.

Have a wonderful night, and I wish you a great beginning to this blank-slate year! Let's conquer it together.

Comments

My word for 2014

Happy New Year, my friends!

Yes, I do know we're nine days into 2014, but I'm still settling in. Trying to get used to writing out the 4 instead of the 3, taking down Christmas decorations (which usually takes me three times longer than it does for us to put up), and addressing the last of my New Year's cards.

I've been taking my time.

Because last year was a doozy.

2013 was the year of the expanding envelope. Remember this post? I talked about pushing myself, making creative and bold decisions, and boy, did I!

2013 brought the rambunctious querying and shelving of STITCHES OF TRUTH, the heart-wrenching revisions of ONE ON ONE, and again, jumping into the query trenches. And, I drafted another book.

We unpacked. I wrote. Got the family settled. I wrote. Involved myself with armywifestuff. I wrote. 5 am wakeups, thinking of my characters, switched gears, and again all day, wrote at night, and over and over.

The days flew, the weeks ran ahead of me and the months? I don't know where the heck they are. All I know is that I looked up having accomplished everything I wanted, and more. I damn near tore that pink-shearling envelope in half.

But it came with a price. I might've stressed out here and there. (Me? Virgos don't stress, do they?)

My hubby might've had to ease the ground in front of me a couple of times--stretched it out so I could see the first step I should take.

A couple of times, I think he actually had to give me a little push.

Last week, we took the kids to see the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka. Gorgeous artwork in this place, stunning architecture. We got there just in time for a tour, and the guide pointed out the phenom murals on plaster. One is of Peace. Science is on her right, and Art is on her left.

Of course, I'm not naive. I know that Peace doesn't come simply with the perfect balance of science and art. There are things such as Faith and Love that weigh heavier into the equation, in my opinion.

But the thing that stood out to me? Planning is just as important as flying by the seat of my pants. Results are just as important as the process. Yes is as important as no.

And, both things can be in the same person.

*takes breath*

Okay, so you might not be having the same mind-blowing experience with my not so great storytelling tonight, but what this all leads to is my Word of 2014:

EVALUATE

(My nurse friends are probably cringing right now--you're welcome!)

Where am I at? Who am I with? What am I doing?

Does it make sense?

As a mother of four I talk about this a lot with my kids. For them to check that little voice in their head. To, what my mother used to say, "do what you ought to." But these days I've added, "but there's not just one way."

2013 was about pushing the limits. 2014 is making sure the limits are pushed with only my Most Important Things.

Have a wonderful night, and I wish you a great beginning to this blank-slate year! Let's conquer it together.

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This is the long-running personal blog of a wife, mom of four, and a Romance and Women's Fictionwriter. This blog is a halu-halo of what inspires my everyday.

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